Enjoy Chattanooga with the following downtown events happening through Monday, Sept. 17:
UTC's Patten Performances opens its season with Parsons Dance Company Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall. Tickets are $15 and $20. For tickets call 423-425-4269 or visit www.TicketTracks.com.
The Hunter Museum of American Art will host Film Discussions at Bluewater on Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Film lovers will screen clips and discuss important films of our day. Admission is $5. For information or reservations call 267-0968.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will give a lecture on Sept. 11 in the UTC Fine Arts Center. This 7 p.m. lecture is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.benwood.org.
Take the Creative Discovery Museum's Invent IT! Brainstorm Challenge on Sept. 11 at the Science Theatre at Northgate Mall. This series is a hands-on event for kids to invent the next toy or game of the future. For future dates and reservations, call 423-756-2738 or visit www.cdmfun.org.
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library and Rock Point Books begin a new book review series called "Hail to the Chief," held in the Downtown Library auditorium. Community leaders will share their thoughts each Wednesday at noon, on presidential biographies. The series will continue through Oct.10. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin will be reviewed this Wednesday by Dr. Clifton Cleaveland, Adjunct Faculty, UTC. Copies of the books may be checked out through the library or purchased at Rock Point Books.
This Thursday, Sept. 13, from 5:30-8 a.m., enjoy Wal-Mart Free Family Night at the Creative Discovery Museum. This month includes the science demonstration "Bubble-ology" along with art lessons and story time. Project Ready for School will be on hand with an opportunity to sign up for free books, Wal-Mart will provide free vision screenings, and Cover Kids will be at the Museum with health insurance suggestions. For more information, visit www.cdmfun.org.
On Thursday, Sept. 13, celebrate the 150th U.S. birthday of Bertani Vineyards at Bluff View Arts District's Annual Italian Dinner. A representative from this renowned Veronese vineyard will talk about their wines and offer expert parings with each course. The exquisite dinner will feature fabulous dishes by Executive Chef Ed Lewis, and pairings of some of the finest wines that Bertani offers. Hors d'oeuvres and tasting begins at 6 p.m., and dinner begins at 7 p.m. For reservations call 265-5033 ext. 4 or visit www.BluffViewArtDistrict.com.
This Thursday, Sept. 13, don't miss contemporary artist, Dario Robleto as he discusses his work and his exhibit, "Chrysanthemum Anthems" at the Hunter Museum of American Art. "Dario Robleto: Chrysanthemum Anthems" focuses on symbols of grief and mourning connected to soldiers of war. Robleto began these works after the devastation of 9-11 and uses materials and artifacts from war. The reception begins at 6 p.m., and the program at 6:30 p.m. Then on Sunday, Sept. 16, musician Jennifer Daniels will perform at the Hunter at 2 p.m. For more information, call 267-0968 or visit www.huntermuseum.org.
A public open house for Phase One of the North Shore Zoning Study will be held Thursday, Sept. 13, from 4-7 p.m. at the Development Resource Center to receive input from property owners and other neighborhood stakeholders from Tremont Street and Forest Avenue. Information will be provided at the meeting on current conditions on both streets, the recommendations of the North Shore Plan, and on the range of zoning options that are being considered. Surveys will be available to be filled out at the open house. Surveys will also be available for download from www.chcrpa.org beginning Sept. 14. For more information, please contact Justin Steinmann at the Regional Planning Agency: steinmann_j@mail.chattanooga.gov or call 757-5216.
See the legendary musical Evita at Memorial Auditorium Sept. 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. All seats are reserved at $30, plus convenience fees. For tickets visit ChattanoogaOnStage.com or the Memorial Auditorium box office, or call 423-642-TIXS.
Rock Point Books will host Roald Dahl Day all day on Thursday, Sept. 13. Aside from enjoying their favorite Roald Dahl books, kids will have a chance to test their Wonka Wisdom, make their own mini Roald Dahl Book, and tons of other fun activities. Then on Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., the public is invited for a reading and signing of The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith by Fred Brown and Jeanne McDonald. For more information on any of these events, please visit www.RockPointBooks.com or call 756-2855.
The 2007-2008 season of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's Youth Theatre is kicking off Friday, Sept. 14 with the play Charlotte's Web. For more information, dates and tickets, call 267-8534 or visit .
The Foundry Lounge will host the Garrett Tucker Acoustic Performance Sept. 14 and 15 at 8:30 p.m. There is no cover charge and no drink minimum to see this jazz, rock, funk and classical music performance. Call 424-3700 for tickets.
Outdoor Chattanooga will host two different kayak and canoeing events Sept. 14 and 15 at Williams Island and McClellan Island bird sanctuary. For information call 643-6888 or visit www.OutDoorChattanooga.com.
Tune up your racing shoes for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Guild's 19th Annual Symphony & Opera Classic Run, Saturday, Sept. 15, in Coolidge Park. Race day registration begins at 7 a.m. Registration is $15. To register or volunteer at the event, please call 697-3807 or visit
www.ChattanoogaTrackClub.org.
Join the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Sept. 15 for 'Sing for the Cure, A Proclamation of Hope.' The concert is at 8 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre. Tickets are $50 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Komen For the Cure organization and the fight against breast cancer. For tickets and more information call 267-8583 or visit www.chattanoogasymphony.org.
Its time for Ladies Night Out with Chonda Pierce, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. at the Memorial Auditorium. Reserved seats are $20.75 plus convenience charges. For tickets and group rates call 423-642-TIXS, visit the Memorial Auditorium box office or go online at www.ChattanoogaOnStage.com.
The First-Centenary Inner City Ministry will celebrate its 40th Anniversary beginning on Saturday, Sept. 15, in Miller Plaza from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. featuring a "Hawaiian Luau". They will conclude the celebration on Sunday, Sept. 16, at the First-Centenary United Methodist Church in two services one at 8:45 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. featuring guest speaker Johnny O'Neal, who has served at the Inner City Ministry for over thirty years. All former Inner City alumni members, volunteers, staff and committee members are encouraged to be part in the celebration. For more information call 266-3345.
The 14th annual Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride is Saturday, Sept. 15. The annual ride departs Riverfront Parkway at 8 a.m. and travels approximately 200 miles to Florence, Al. For more information call 1-877-TOT-TRIP or visit www.trailoftears-remembrance.org.
Visit Walnut Street Bridge on Saturday, Sept. 15, for Wine Over Water. You will be treated to wine from over 100 wineries, hors d'oeuvres, and live music on several stages across the historic Walnut Street Bridge. Funds raised are used towards historic preservation in Chattanooga. For information visit www.WineOverWater.org.
The Chattanooga Downtown Partnership continues the 2007 Nightfall Concert Series this Friday, Sept. 14, at Miller Plaza with blues and folk artist the Eric Bibb Trio. With deep roots in the American blues and folk traditions, Eric Bibb's gift for combining folk, gospel and acoustic blues has earned him worldwide recognition. Opening act Tom Cordell Trumpet Improv will take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by Paul Thorn Band at 8 p.m. Sponsors for this year's series are Fletcher Bright Company, Unitrin, BB&T Branch Banking and Trust, Bud Light, Southern Honda Powersports, Food Lion, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Fox 61 and NPR/Music 88. A weekly drawing for round trip tickets to Orlando or St. Petersburg, Florida, from Allegiant Air will be held at each show. For more information on this free community concert series, call 265-0771 or visit the Nightfall web site at www.DowntownChattanooga.org .
The Chattanooga Market will host the Chattanooga Auto Show, this Sunday, Sept. 16, at the First Tennessee Pavilion. The public is invited to see the newest and coolest new cars for the new model year in this signature event for Orange Grove. For more information visit www.ChattanoogaMarket.com.
From now until Oct. 26, AVA presents a new art exhibition called Endangered Species: Works by Carol LeBaron. Combining traditional hand weaving and industrial manufacturing procedures as a means to communicate our society's current state of flux, Carol LeBaron's rigorous process involves both ancient and cutting edge technology. For more information, visit www.avarts.org.